My wife is 70 and I am 60 she has never worked. At what age will I have to be for her to draw off my social security ? Thanks,Don Look forward to an answer
Hi Don. Your wife can't collect spousal benefits until you start drawing either your Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Therefore, unless you become disabled the earliest that your wife could qualify for spousal benefits is when you reach age 62. But, she could only actually be paid benefits then if you apply for your benefits at that time, and if your earnings are low enough for the two of you to be paid (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html). And, if you start drawing your benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) your benefit rate will be reduced for age.
The potential downside of drawing your benefits early is that it would limit your wife's potential survivor benefit rate to the higher of a) 82.5% of your primary insurance amount (PIA), or your reduced benefit rate. You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.
Best, Jerry